How to Choose the Best Double Strollers
If you're taking an easy stroll or taking on your morning jog with your children, a double stroller could make life with twins or two children with different ages a lot simpler. What are the best options to choose from the various options available?
This expandable model allows you to modify the seating to meet your needs. Our new member, Kerry, tested it out.
Safety
Whether you're running errands, visiting the zoo, or heading out trick-or-treating with your kiddos your stroller should be secure. It's essential to have sturdy frames, comfortable harnesses and easy-to-grab handles for toddlers. It should also be able to fit through doors, simple to fold and move and be simple to maneuver. It should be worth the money.
We put every double stroller through vigorous tests in our lab, at the Zoo, on the city streets, and during family outings in suburban neighborhoods. Our lab tests assess the stroller's maneuverability, stability and ease of steering. We also test the comfort of the suspension for both the driver and rider and the capacity for weight, height of the canopy for the seat, and the storage space.
We ask parents for feedback on each model, in addition to the standard safety check performed by our team. Then, we take all that information into account when forming our recommendations.
Take a look at our top picks to help you find an excellent stroller that's sturdy and safe. These strollers are incredibly versatile and can be used as infant car seats. They come in single or tandem stroller models, and are suitable for children from birth to elementary school.
The top double strollers are designed to adapt to the needs of your family. They're stylish and sleek and can accommodate various customization options and can be used by toddlers and infants in tandem or side-byside (single-file) seating designs. They also come with a large storage basket, a telescoping handlebar, and one-handed folding mechanisms.
Consider a tandem stroller with benches at the back for a third child if you have twins or a child of the same age. They're a great option for siblings who want to interact with each other but aren't able to sit next to each other in a stroller with a side-byside feature and end up arguing or fighting. You can also find convertible models, which permit you to remove the bench seat of your child when they're ready to ride without the car seat.
Comfort
The top double strollers have comfortable child seats that are well-padded and supported. The best double strollers have ample storage space, spacious legs and footwells for kids, and a UPF 50+ canopy that offers fantastic sun protection. Seats should recline at an angle to keep kids comfortable. They should also include calf bar adjusters that let parents independently adjust the seat. The handlebars should be comfortable and easy to maneuver, says Alli Cavasino, a certified child passenger safety technician. The handlebars need to be close enough to the seat of your child that you can grasp them and hold them. If the handlebars are too far apart and you'll have a tough in keeping your balance and maintaining good form when pushing them.
double pram and pushchair should be smooth, even on rough or uneven surfaces. Some of the models we test had shock absorbers to keep the ride stable. Some models have front and back suspension which improves control and reduces the amount of force needed to push them. The wheels must have a sturdy tread and be made of premium rubber.
We searched for the most flexible double strollers that can be used from birth through toddlerhood and beyond. A few of the ones we found can be configured as side-by-side or tandem strollers, and one of them that we found, the Uppababy Vista v2, can even be converted into a single-file stroller designed for infants. The model is three times more expensive as our primary tandem choice however, its materials are more durable, and it should last longer.
The best double strollers are light and easy to maneuver for long walks, errands, and trips to the park or zoo. The double strollers are typically larger than single strollers and can be difficult to fit into narrow aisles or doorways. Some are more expensive than single-seaters. This is understandable because you get a lot for your money. These models are suitable for both children and adults, and will grow with your family.
Convenience
If you're planning to invest money in a double-stroller, it should be easy to move and store. Ideally, the stroller will be light and compact enough to fit into the trunk of your car, or the space at home. It must also be able to navigate tough terrain and handle tight turns. Some of the top double strollers have adjustable calf supports as well as seats that recline and offer UPF sun protection. The canopy should be large enough to fit two children. If you are worried about the sun glaring into their eyes, opt for the stroller with a peek-aboo window.
The age and stage of your child can influence the kind of stroller you choose to be most suitable for your needs. Parents of twins may choose a convertible stroller that can accommodate two infant car seats simultaneously parents with a child who is older and a toddlers may prefer side-byside doubles. You'll also have to decide whether you'd like a stroller that fits through narrow doorways or crowded aisles in grocery stores and is able to be used on airplanes.
In our Lab tests, we discovered that the top double strollers are fairly easy to fold and carry. They usually have a singleor two-step procedure, and are small enough to fit in most compact cars. They're also designed to be stable and easy to assemble.
Some of the top double strollers feature useful features for parents like a one-parent cup holder and a spacious storage basket. Be sure to check if the stroller is equipped with a lock for the front seat to stop your child from climbing out. Some strollers have a universal adapter for car seats that can be converted to a single seat when your child develops.
The top double strollers are a bit expensive, but they come with higher quality construction and better resale value than cheaper models. They are also more maneuverable and can withstand the toughest terrains, such as city sidewalks or park trails.
Style
If parents are in the market for a double stroller they're looking for much more than just a way to transport their two kids. They want a light stroller that can be maneuvered with ample storage on the board and thoughtful features that allow it to adapt to the changing needs of children. It should also be simple to push and maneuver. Since they'll be carrying more than the children, the stroller must be comfortable on their backs and shoulders.
This is why the top double strollers are sleek and allow for a variety of designs, and be adapted to infant car seats for a seamless transition from baby to toddler. They are available in side-by-side or tandem (single-file seating) models and can be light enough for jogging or for travel.
In addition to size, parents should also consider whether the double stroller will fit through doorways or other narrow spaces. Fortunately, the majority of strollers we tested in our latest update can pass through standard exterior doors that are 36 inches wide. Moreover, most can accommodate interior doors that measure 28 to 35 inches wide.
When we review the top double strollers, we also consider how easily they fold and unfold. We also look at how well-padded the seats and canopies are. We also look at how comfortable the seat straps and buckles are for seated children and how easy it is to access and adjust the height of the handlebar.
For example, our top choice, the Uppababy Vista V2, is lightweight and offers plenty of storage for both children. It has one parent cup holders, reclined seats that can be reclined independently, and generous UPF 50+ canopy that has peekaboo windows. The padded straps for the seat and buckles are among the most comfortable we have found in our tests, and we found the seat to be among the easiest to fasten for children of all ages.
If you're not quite ready to purchase a double stroller, Facebook Marketplace and other second-hand sites often have good-condition used options for reasonable costs. Make sure to do your research before committing to buying, examining for indications of damage and checking up possible recalls.